John Manners, one of the most popular and eccentric characters on the South Midlands circuit, has died at the age of 83, following a short illness.
Manners, a farmer by trade, was involved in the sport as an owner, trainer and rider for more than 50 years, and housed a large string of horses at his yard at Highworth, near Swindon.
His career highlight came in 2000 when, in one of the most incredible races ever seen at Cheltenham, his home-bred Cavalero passed half a dozen rivals on the run-in to land the Christie's Foxhunters.
It was the gelding's second of three career wins at Prestbury Park, coming two years after he landed the Aintree equivalent, a race that Manners had previously won with Killeshin in 1994.
The 2009 season was a successful one for Manners, with no fewer than 13 winners sporting his blue and red silks.
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